After Eating in Hong Kong – Part 3, we were lucky enough to fly to our next destination, Taipei, in business class with Cathay Pacific using points. After checking in and going through security, we visited The Pier, Cathay Pacific’s business class lounge in Terminal 1.
I was surprised to find the first room we entered didn’t have that many people in it.
Some of the hot food available included baked fish, baked cauliflower and BBQ baby pork leg.
There were also curry puffs, mini broccoli and blue cheese quiches, pizza, Thai fish cakes and potato wedges with Cajun seasoning.
The cold selection includes cold cut meats, salmon, cheeses and salad.
There were two cakes for dessert – blueberry cheesecake and a banana tart. And freshly cut fruit as the healthier option.
The large tray of bread and butter pudding caught my eye and I knew I’d have to come back to this room.
I enjoyed some of the hot foods – curry puff, quiche, fish and a slice of Hawaiian pizza. The best items on my plate were the curry vegetable puff – delicious mildly spicy filling and flaky pastry, and the baked fish which was so soft and delicious.
Walking along to the second room, we found a noodle bar with a long counter and more banquette style tables.
Along one side was a selection of hot Asian food – dumplings in steamers, noodles and more.
You could also order noodles made to order at the noodle bar.
I ordered the dan dan noodles while Mr FPJ had the wonton noodle soup. The dan dan noodles were too creamy for me and lacked the necessary spicy pork mince. The wonton noodles were nice but the broth was bland.
I went back to the first room to try out some of the desserts. The bread and butter pudding with custard was soft and moreish but I managed to stop myself at just one serve.
I did have a small slice of the banana tart, and some fresh pineapple to finish off too.
The third room was a tea room with large tins of artisan tea displayed on the back wall. For a tea lover, this was like heaven but I only had stomach space for one cup of tea.
Samples of the teas available were displayed in small glass jars so you could smell the aroma before trying.
I felt like the chamomile tea which was allowed to brew for a few minutes based on the hourglass, before the filter was taken out and the teapot ready for collection.
In front of the tea counter was a table with a few sweets to go with your cup – mini cupcakes, earl grey biscuits, caramelised walnuts and fruit jellies.
I enjoyed this while Mr FPJ enjoyed his espresso martini. I should mention that yes, there’s also an open bar with mocktails on the menu but I was just too full for anything else.
The fourth room was a lounge with seats that fold flat so you can sleep while waiting for your connecting flight. That would come in very handy for the longer transfers. It was soon time to board our flight and we said goodbye to this wonderful lounge. If you can get in, it’s well worth it. You would not go hungry and there were plenty of tables and charging stations.
My seat on the flight was in the middle separated by a low partition with another. It wasn’t as obtrusive as I originally thought as when I leaned back in my seat, the small cupboard to my side hid my next door neighbour from view giving me some privacy. Mr FPJ chose a window seat (there’s only one on either side of the plane) next to me across the aisle. The television had been locked into place but swung outwards for when I wanted to watch something. There was plenty of leg room with a cushioned foot rest that met the seat when extended into a bed.
A small thin side table contained the fold out meal table inside and provided extra room for your drink and other items. There were more storage options with another small nook underneath the side table, the cupboard, and a spot underneath the cushioned food rest. The area next to the cupboard (containing a leather head set) had the remote, small light, universal charger and buttons to move the seat up, down and flat.
One of the flight attendants was happy for me to take a photo of her as welcome drinks were served. There was champagne, orange juice, a mocktail and water on her tray. The mocktail was the ‘Cathay Delight’ a creamy kiwi fruit drink with coconut and mint.
I found the lunch menu and drinks list in a side pocket and couldn’t wait to see what I’d get to eat. I was surprised (and happy) to see Australian beef on the menu.
The champagnes and wines came from across the globe.
If none of the wines suited, there were cocktails, beers, whiskies and more.
After we took off, I put the seat flat (as you do), lay back on my pillow ready and selected a movie to watch. Again, plenty of leg room and it was comfortable. A blanket is provided but it was too hot for one that day.
Soon it was time for lunch and I could smell the aroma of something good.
I picked the Australian beef tenderloin as my main which came with pumpkin, beans, potato and thyme sauce. My tray also contained fresh fruit, a bread roll and butter, and dessert of raspberry swirl cheese cake and raspberry coulis.
I loved the beef which I had asked to be cooked medium-rare. It was so tender and quite a large portion. I was very full at the end of the meal.
What did I think of the whole experience?
If you can afford it / have the points to upgrade, and have a long haul flight or transfer time, it’s well worth it. The Pier business class lounge is pretty special. There’s so much food to choose from and you will never go hungry. There are 14 shower suites equipped with bath products and towels (we didn’t take advantage of this as we didn’t require a shower but I wish I had peeked into one). You can also catch up on sleep by lying down on one of the lounge chairs in the relaxation room. We had a fantastic experience.
The Pier is open daily from 5.30am, closed at 00.30am. Level 6, Terminal 1 near Gate 65.
Next stop – Taipei!
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The food on the flight looks much better now but still not as good as Singapore Airlines they do a good job. It’s a shame cause I love everything else Cathay Pacific does lounge, staff, service etc.